THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 45:1-47:12
“It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” (Genesis 45:5)
Is this a way to look at all circumstances in our lives?
Or as Paul says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Joseph was called by God to Egypt “according to God’s purpose”.
And that purpose is to somehow benefit others, to be a blessing.
What if we could trust that our difficulties would mean the salvation of others?
Will we one day stand before God and see all the people that benefited because of our lives?
We may ask, ‘but why through hardship and misery, can’t God find an easier way?’
First, I believe that as a loving Father, if He could He would.
Second, God is working within the parameters of our freedom and responsibility.
Joseph’s brothers were not forced by God to betray him, they freely chose this.
The suffering and misery in the world are not caused by God, we are responsible for our choices.
But God graciously uses our freedom and turns it towards a better outcome.
He does this to reveal His heart to us, and draw us back to Him in faith, hope and love.
Joseph could have chosen bitterness, but He saws God’s hand of grace and was gracious to his brothers.
We have a choice how to respond to our lives, with bitterness or blessing.
Knowing that God is somehow at work through us to bless others can help us to do the same.
One day we will see, one day we will know, and we will blessed by how many were blessed through us!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You lived this Yourself, walking the hard path of the cross to save us and creation. I want to join You in allowing my life – as it is – to be a blessing for others!
Living for Jesus.
Each and every day I am in His service.
At the end of the day I must ask the question, ‘Where did I see God this day?’ Since I am a kingdom worker working in His garden, all things happen for His good and I must live that each day anew. Remember Job? And Joseph? And Paul? And . . .
Each day is a gift and I must present it to the Lord living for Jesus. Working God’s plan for He brings all things to His honour and glory. Not my will but His be done. He enables me each day and so this day also, I will live for Him. May others see Christ Jesus living in me.
Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of my sickness into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.